Getting Ready For Fall

Now is the time to start thinking about the temperature cooling down.  The kids have gone back to school, the bathing suits are going to be put away to make room for sweaters and socks, and the air conditioning will be shut off soon. It’s the perfect time to plan ahead and get ready for the changing seasons. In this post, we will look at areas around the house that need to be checked when getting ready for fall.  

Drafts 

One of the most important things that can be done for fall is to check the house for drafts.  This one thing can mean significant cost savings for the heating bill. Where can drafts be found? Drafts can be found around the seal on doors and windows. Any easy way to check for drafts is to light a candle, or light a lighter and put it near the seal. If the light flickers, that is a good indication that there is a draft. If drafts are found then the seal around the doors and windows needs to be repaired or replaced. 

Safety Devices 

The best time to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors is when you are already moving around the house to get ready for the next season. It is important to check to see if the batteries need to be replaced, if the unit is working properly, and determining if it is in the best place to detect an emergency. One thing that can be a nuisance is if the smoke detector goes off when the steam from the shower hits it. The last thing you want to happen is for the smoke detector to go off and you assume it is from the shower and not due to a fire in the house. Additionally, check to make sure you have extra batteries on hand if the batteries do not need to be replaced just yet. This way you will greatly reduce the time the unit is not working.  

Air conditioning/Humidifiers 

For the air conditioning, it will depend on what type of unit you have. If you have central air and a unit outside, you might need to cover it for the winter. Internal air conditioning that is a wall or floor unit will need to be stored properly after the filters are checked. Humidifiers will need to be checked to make sure they are working properly, and filters for these will also need to be cleaned out.  

Furnace Inspection 

Another important factor for the fall months is to ensure that your furnace is working properly. There is nothing worse than the temperature drops, and your furnace goes on the fritz, and you need to find every blanket in the house to stay warm. By checking your furnace before it is needed, you can enjoy the colder months with ease. Conduct a furnace inspection to ensure that it is working properly.